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Collins hopes to capitalize on Braves' offensive slump

ATLANTA -- A more pessimistic manager might view a three-game series against one of the National League's titans as a daunting task.

Mets manager Terry Collins sees an opportunity.

"They're a very good offensive club, but they're not swinging very good right now either," Collins said Friday, before the Mets played the first of three games against the Braves at Turner Field. "We've got to capitalize maybe on the fact that they've had some struggles, because they're going to break out of it."

The Braves entered Friday's play with one run over their last 21 innings -- hardly the type of extended offensive funk that sidetracked the Mets during their six-game losing streak last week, but still a noticeable bump in the road.

Collins believes it is the perfect opportunity for his team to take advantage against a club widely considered one of the best in baseball.

"You'd better keep the ball in the ballpark," he said. "When they start hitting homers -- because their pitching's so good -- they're going to beat you. So what we've got to do is keep the ball inside the ballpark and make them earn it a little bit."

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.